With an aging fleet of power plants, bottlenecks in its overburdened transmission system and ever-increasing demand, Southern California and other parts of the State could encounter electricity shortages as early as next year, according to the California Energy Commission. The impacts of these critical issues on the State's electricity supply and reliability will be discussed at a California Energy Commission workshop tomorrow in Los Angeles.

Issues:
This Los Angeles hearing, the fourth of five being held around the State, will examine the effects that aging power plants will have on electricity, given their inefficiencies, environmental impacts and questionable reliability. Accelerating the development of renewable energy projects also will be discussed, as well as options to effectively upgrade California's inadequate transmission system. These topics are the subjects of three draft staff papers that are on-line, along with the 2004 Draft Committee Energy Report Update, at:

Background:
The Integrated Energy Policy Report (IEPR) serves as the foundation for energy policy for California. As mandated by law, the California Energy Commission must submit the report to the Governor and the Legislature every two years, with yearly updates. The IEPR Committee, headed by Energy Commissioner John Geesman, is holding a total of five public hearings to discuss key issues presented in the 2004 Draft Committee Energy Report Update. The hearings are being held in San Francisco, September 29; San Diego, September 30; Sacramento, October 1; Los Angeles, October 5; and Fresno, October 8.